Two Women Make History After Completing Grueling Course And Becoming First Female Army Rangers

Back in April, David informed you that for the first time ever women were permitted to apply for prestigious Army Ranger School. There were 19 female soldiers who applied, and 16 of them passed the initial Army National Guard Ranger Training and Assessment Course which included doing 49 in pushup in two minutes, 59 situps in two minutes, six chinups as well as running five miles in 40 minutes.

If they finish the first daunting and exhausting challenge (Which eliminates 60 percent of applicants), they move on to the next stage which is a 2-month supreme test of mental and physical strength that includes a 12-mile road march while carrying 100 pounds, a land-navigation exercise without the use of GPS, and a water survival test that includes climbing a 35-foot tower, walking 70 feet across a log and crawling along a rope before dropping 35 feet into the water. The students are given very little sleep and food despite being subjected to strenuous and wearying tasks.

The Mountain Phase of the challenge is conducted in the rugged mountains of northern Georgia, where over 18-days candidates must complete back-breaking tasks such as hauling packs that weigh 100 pounds on a 1.8 mile foot march up Mount Yonah.

The Swamp Phase is 17 days of extended platoon-level operations executed in the marshy areas of Valparaiso, Florida. That is where they are subjected to five grueling days of waterborne operations training, then a ten-day field training exercise with student-led patrols, two jumps for airborne qualified personnel and two administrative days where students are counseled on their performance.

Despite all of the demanding endeavors asked of them, two female officers completed all of the laborious endeavors. On Friday, they will make history when they become the first women to ever graduate U.S. Army Ranger School. The unidentified women will receive their Ranger Tabs in a ceremony at Fort Benning in Georgia.

In a release, Army Secretary John McHugh complimented all of the graduates:

“Congratulations to all of our new Rangers. Each Ranger School graduate has shown the physical and mental toughness to successfully lead organizations at any level. This course has proven that every Soldier, regardless of gender, can achieve his or her full potential. We owe Soldiers the opportunity to serve successfully in any position where they are qualified and capable, and we continue to look for ways to select, train, and retain the best Soldiers to meet our Nation’s needs.”

The amazing females, both of whom are West Point graduates, and 94 men survived 62-days in one of the most rigorous military courses in the world. Despite proving themselves in the ass-kicking drills, the females will not be able to join the infantry or any other ground combat jobs, including the Ranger regiment, which remain closed to women. Congratulations ladies.

[DailyMail]